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So many answered prayers! 

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

We are writing to you, dear friends, having received Todd’s Visa and Emirates ID and having moved into a new apartment! Isn’t God kind? The past month and a half has involved a lot of research, appointments, conversations, and prayer–and we are so grateful to finally begin settling into our home here. We know this is a direct answer to your prayers–so thank you! 

Campus Reports

--- Dubai West ---

It’s been amazing to see God moving on different campuses! You met "Joy" in our last newsletter (a Nigerian sophomore, recently saved, studying at a local university). She's been organizing a Bible discussion in her university cafeteria every week and we've seen a steady stream of students attending! Recently, she was feeling discouraged by fellow students rejecting the gospel and other students becoming flaky. So, we took the opportunity to pray with her about it. The next day two Christian students from Hong Kong showed up to our discussion because they had heard there were Christians meeting on campus. Then, the next two weeks brought new, unbelieving students to the discussion. Isn't our heavenly Father gracious to incline His ear to our prayers?"What do you guys think about Christians celebrating Halloween?" "How do you know if someone is saved?" "Is it ungodly for girls to wear make-up?" "What's the difference between Christianity, Pantheism, and Panentheism?" That's just a sampling of questions we've been asked by the ever-inquisitive "Joy". She is so eager to learn what Scripture teaches, at times it's hard to keep up! Brittany is meeting with her weekly, talking about life and studying the book of Galatians and Living the Cross Centered Life (if you haven't read it, get a copy-actually 2!–and read it with a friend) to help her further clarify the centrality and message of the gospel and how it shapes our lives. 

--- Abu Dhabi ---

Todd has had the opportunity to study the Bible with students and a professor at universities in the city of Abu Dhabi (an hour south of Dubai). Two of these discussions are one-on-one with non-Christians and the other two are in mixed groups with Christians and non-Christians.2 weeks ago, Todd hung out with Brian, a freshman from Ghana. Brian shared with Todd how he grew up in the church but is struggling right now to keep in step with doing spiritual things. Todd asked him if he knew what the gospel was and had him read Ephesians 2:1-10. Todd asked, "Is that what you thought the gospel was?" Brian paused and shook his head, "No, that's not what I thought it was." Pray that God would bring Brian from death to life as Todd continues to study the Scriptures with him. These stories are very common here and there are many more of them to be had! 

Magnify the Lord with us and let us exalt His name together for these answered prayers!

We Need Your Help

We need to raise $300 more in monthly commitments. Would you help us raise this support? If you know anyone who you think might be interested in joining the team or if you yourself would like to increase your monthly giving, please let us know. We would be so grateful!

Rhythms of Grace

The past two months have held many new things–new friends, new memories, two new host homes, new membership at Covenant Hope Church (woohoo!), a new apartment, and new opportunities. Along this crazy roller coaster ride, there does seem to be a rhythm developing with our weekly schedule:Sundays and Mondays are filled with meetings with FOCUS volunteer staff and a class we're taking on Systematic Theology.Tuesdays we go to a local university for a Bible discussion in the cafeteria.Wednesdays we head down to Abu Dhabi where Todd disciples and partners with a student and a Professor at a new university there. We also seek to encourage and support the existing Christian Club at New York University in Abu Dhabi by meeting with students, Christian and non-Christian.Thursdays Todd spends time in the office, working on admin and life coaching, while Brittany generally spends time with women in the church, getting shopping and cooking done, and getting our new house in order.Fridays are Church days!Saturdays are our blessed day off (sometimes).

Snapshots of Our Life

Eating dinner with "Joy" and Brian and Joanne Parks, a pastor and his wife at Covenant Hope Church (we stayed with them for three weeks before we moved into our apartment–we're deeply grateful for their hospitality, care, and generosity!).

Q&A time after watching American Gospel with university students and members of our church. They had a lot of questions, as many of them come from prosperity church backgrounds.

We've begun serving on the sound team at our church!

Eating breakfast at a street vendor with one of our friends (he's interning this year at Covenant Hope) from Lucknow, India (0.6% Christian).

Starting a home on a budget means bargaining for second-hand furniture at our new favorite place - BuFaisal! This warehouse has actually been a huge gift to us. 

A couple students (with FOCUS) from nearby universities walked over to our new place to help us clean the apartment. We're thankful to live so close to students and can't wait to start having them over to hang!

SURPRISE! Last week, one of our ministry partners from the States messaged us because she had a layover in Dubai while traveling. We were able to get dinner, catch up, and show her around the city. It was a very encouraging time. If you're ever in our area, please let us know!

Last weekend we got to be a part of a FOCUS Conference that helped university students think purposefully about their time at university. We'll share more about this time in a future update. In the meantime, please pray for much fruit to be born!

Pray for us?

• Pray for the salvation of Baha, Kori, Nancee, Ameera, Shujing, Cole, and Brian–unbelieving students we’re getting to know.

• For continued peaceful, joyful communication

• That our new home becomes a haven of grace and place of ministry.

• For us to be a blessing and strength to our church family here, encouraging and exhorting for the glory of Christ. 

• That we would guard our personal time with the Lord in His Word and that we would be faithful in prayer together.

• That we find an inexpensive, good quality car